The Changing NHS

A few months ago I facilitated an Open Space event as part of a week long international conference organised by the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership.

One of the break-out sessions was led by Elspeth Murray, a Poet and in it, Shona Neil, Chief Executive of the Scottish Association for Mental Health, produced this wonderful poem.

SOUNDBITTEN

“I wish we could find a way

of getting beyond egos:

territorial rivalry

unintelligible meaningless

jargon

the turf battles

the competition

the inanity

it exhausts me.

 

I wish I could have a day

that’s not a groundhog one

Go to a conference where the

emperor IS wearing clothes

where the sultans of spin

are not weaving smoke in mirrors.

 

I get so tired of soundbites

I am fed up of getting soundbitten.

Just occasionally, usually at lunch

or in the bar, I stumble into a little glimmer

of authenticity

Or find a clutch of kindred souls

who aren’t full of self-promotion, speak warmly

and can listen too.

There is hope.

Hope that maybe we can shift

from soundbites

to soundhugs.”

Steve

www.stevepashley.co.uk

nhs

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facilitation